British recruits
The 85 former British police officers recently recruited by SAPOL have begun their 12-week training course at Fort Largs.
The general membership will, I am sure, warmly welcome these new recruits, who bring extensive experience and skills to SAPOL.
We wish them and their families all the best for the future.
PASA elections
The Australian Electoral Commission has declared the election results for the Police Association committee of management and officer-holders.
I congratulate our new deputy president, Trevor Haskell, and new vice-president, Bernadette Zimmermann.
And I acknowledge the commitment and service to the members from former deputy president, Nick Pippos, and long-serving committee member, Iain Robertson, neither of whom sought re-election.
I also congratulate the newly elected committee, and welcome its two new members, Liz McGregor and Allan Cannon, whom I wish well for the future.
Secretary Andy Dunn and I thank you, the members, for showing such confidence in us as to return us to our positions unopposed.
Select committee
The association continues to give evidence to the Select Committee of the Legislative Council on the staffing, resourcing and efficiency of the South Australia Police.
PASA’s submission is comprehensive; and one matter of paramount importance is that of staffing levels.
The association looks forward to the select committee tabling its report.
Black Tuesday
I was deeply moved by what I saw of some of our West Coast members’ tragic personal losses in the devastating Black Tuesday bushfire. On a tour of the area a few days after the blaze, I saw that, for one member, Community Constable Ian Ryan, not even a home remained standing.
The way in which the affected members have stood up to their respective traumas and carried on – with physical, emotional and moral support from their colleagues – is a credit to each of them.
Also worthy of great credit are all the members who performed their police roles in the punishing conditions that prevailed on January 11. Their commitment to the community’s safety was outstanding.
I have contributed some of my thoughts to our 12-page feature, Cops’ Black Tuesday pain, which begins on the next page. I encourage members to read this story to understand exactly what some of their colleagues suffered.
